Title: The Center for the Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship in Agro-Business for Rural Development
Introduction :
Rural development is a major issue in many countries, particularly in Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government established the Center for the Promotion of Youth Entrepreneurship in Agro-Business (CPEJAB) to promote the social integration of young people involved in the cobalt supply chain. Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the project to support the alternative well-being of children and young people involved in the cobalt supply chain (PABEA-Cobalt), this project aims to create economic opportunities sustainable and to promote the development of agriculture.
Job creation and social reintegration:
The main objective of the CPEJAB is to socially reintegrate nearly 14,850 children working in cobalt mines, while offering socio-economic retraining to their parents. Through the creation of direct and indirect jobs, this project will generate approximately 11,250 jobs for young people and their families. In addition, it aims to restructure 1,250 agricultural cooperatives managed by young people, which will help strengthen the agricultural sector and promote rural development.
Financial and material support:
As part of the project, the Minister of Rural Development and that of Social Affairs received the first containers and materials ordered for the CPEJAB. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting this program and providing young people with the necessary resources to develop their agricultural activities. This initiative also benefits from financial support from the AfDB, which recognizes the importance of youth entrepreneurship in the economic transformation of the DRC.
Towards a modern city in Muntumpeke:
In addition to the establishment of the CPEJAB, the government plans the construction of a modern city in Muntumpeke, the village where the center is located. This city will serve as a framework conducive to the development of agro-business and will encourage the establishment of young agricultural entrepreneurs. This vision demonstrates the government’s desire to create an environment favorable to the development of economic activities and the improvement of the living conditions of the population.
Conclusion :
The Center for Promoting Youth Agribusiness Entrepreneurship represents a unique opportunity for young people involved in the cobalt supply chain in the DRC. By offering opportunities for social reintegration and economic development, this project will contribute to the fight against poverty and the promotion of rural development. Thanks to financial and material support from the government and the AfDB, young people will be able to engage in sustainable agricultural activities and thus build a better future for themselves and their communities.